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DEATHS
The number of deaths registered - 2,147, shows a decrease of 23 from the figure
of last year. The death rate was 13.04 and when adjusted by the comparability factor
becomes 15.51 as compared with 11.8 for the country as a whole. The largest single
cause of death was heart disease, 29% of total deaths, followed by cancer 26% and
respiratory conditions 16%,
The various causes of death and distribution by age groups are set out in Table
1.
INFANT MORTALITY
Deaths during the first year of life numbered 54 equivalent to a rate of 24.17
per 1,000 live births. The rate for the previous year was 20.23 and 17.61 for 1969.
Fluctuations occur in years in the same decade but generally the downward trend
continues in 1931 the comparable rate for the area was 77 per 1.000 live births
and in 1921 almost 1 in 10 babies died before their first birthday. The rate for
England and Wales was 18.0 for 1971.
Details of causes of death at various ages under 1 year will be found in the Appendix
on page 72.
MATERNAL MORTALITY
There were no maternal deaths this year.
NEO-NATAL MORTALITY
During the year there were 41 deaths of infants under 4 weeks representing a
neo-natal mortality rate of 18.35 the rate for England and Vales being 12.0.Last
year there were 33 deaths giving a rate of 13.35 per 1,000 live births.
PERI-NATAL MORTAU TY
This term is used to describe the combination of still births and deaths in the
first week of life expressed as a rate per 1,000 total live and still births. The
rate for this year was 28.70 the rate for England and Wales being 22.0.
ACCIDENTAL DEATHS
Deaths due to acc'idehts numbered 58 (compared with 66 last year) motor vehicles
being the cause of 19 deaths. Statistics supplied by the Road Safety Officer will
be found on page 72.
EXPECTATION OF LIFE
The expectation of life at birth, based on the estimated home population and
-10-